Blue Jays Recap: Finally snap losing streak with 2-1 walk-off win

The Blue Jays finally snapped their 7 game losing streak, defeating the Baltimore Orioles by a score of 2-1 on the strength of a Kendrys Morales walk-off home run.

The Blue Jays’ losing streak is finally over, and feeling of dread can take a breather for a day Canadian baseball fans. After the worst start in franchise history, the Blue Jays were able to take the 3rd game of their 4 game set with Baltimore, winning by a score of 2-1.

It wasn’t the prettiest win for the Blue Jays, but after the dreadful start the club has endured, any win is a plus at this point. The club only managed 6 hits on the day, but it was just enough to lift them to victory, after another strong performance from the pitching staff.

Marco Estrada was outstanding in his third start of the year, throwing 7 complete innings and allowing just 4 hits against 8 strikeouts. The opening day starter looked every bit the part of “ace” on Saturday, lifting the Blue Jays when they needed it most, despite finishing with a no decision on the day.

The Orioles countered with Alec Asher, a little used starter who had one of his finest professional performances against the Blue Jays. Asher pitched 6.1 innings, only allowing a single run after being lifted from the game in the 7th. Jose Bautista reached first after being hit by a pitch, and eventually scored on a pinch-hit single from Darwin Barney.

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Joe Biagini relieved Estrada and threw a scoreless eighth before the Blue Jays added some additional drama in the 9th inning.

Roberto Osuna came on to try and close out the 1-0 game, his first save opportunity of the year. Unfortunately Welington Castillo‘s ground ball hit Osuna’s leg, and he reached on the play. Craig Gentry came in to pinch run and promptly stole second base, and eventually reached on a sacrifice fly to centre field, bringing the game to a 1-1 tie and making Blue Jays’ fans collectively sigh.

Fortunately for the Blue Jays, Kendrys Morales didn’t make fans wait for long to celebrate the second win of the season, leading off the inning with a deep shot to right-centre field. Morales has been the key figure in both Blue Jays wins, having hit a grand slam in the other win for the club this season.

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The Blue Jays will look to use the win as momentum and split the series with the Orioles on Sunday, sending J.A. Happ to the mound to face off against Dylan Bundy, with the game getting underway at 1:07 EST. The two faced off in the second game of the season, with the Orioles ultimately winning 3-1 on April 5th.